The Underwater Dance Troop, La Bufadora, Mexico

Waterlogged Date: 10/20/97

An unexpected trip took me from the warm waters of the Western Pacific back to the land of the big mall and expressways. I live on Okinawa and have the wonderful opportunity to dive, every day, across and around the gorgeous reefs that surround this dot in the Pacific. My business interest was in San Diego County but my diving interest, and a few good friends, took me south of the border to La Bufadora, on the Baja California coastline some 40 minutes south of Ensenada. Diving in water temperatures of 53 degrees was exhilarating but certainly not a penalty for what was in store for me. Descending into these chilly waters was a treat since I was getting the opportunity to dive among and photograph an immense collection of flatworms, nudibranch, and chestnut cowries that live among sponges, hard and soft corals, and the kelp beds in and around the rocky outcroppings and ledges that are quite accessible from La Bufadora's cove. We all spent our first dive getting acclimatized to both the "refreshing" chill and the rental gear we had acquired the night before. As I became accustomed to the new surroundings mother nature added even more flavor when she threw in a very determined surge. As this dive ended I was cheerfully surprised when Dave Burch my dive buddy and the current president of the Aqua-Marines Dive Club from Camp Pendleton, directed my attention to an exquisite lavender nudibranch with golden plumage and antennae. Its simple beauty was stunning and for the briefest moment my mind forgot about the surge. That was a real mistake because the surge, during my trance like enjoyment of the nudibranch, had moved me away from the ledge of my recent found beauty. As I returned to reality the somewhat unfriendly surge urged me with some not-so-nice force into the rocks adjacent to the ledge. HELLO reality! Out of the flatworm and nudibranch museum and back into the dive. Surge, a friend of Mexican lobster divers who rush in on their prey is NOT, repeat NOT, the friend of the macro photographer! During surface interval I politicked hard and heavy with my fellow divers to stay on this spot for a return to the "museum" of nudibranch activity. Mark and Melissa, also really fun divers from the Aqua-Marines, agreed that we would do our second dive in this same, surge-ridden, spot. Although I can't say I am a real fan of surge, I really wanted a second shot with our new found friends from mollusk-ville! Mark and Melissa were really cooperative and after an hour we were back over the side and under the Sargasso beds in the chilly and once again surging waters. Surge or not it is always exhilarating to dive a new spot. This one was proving that theory correct again. We moved straight down to the ledge at 30 feet and no sooner than our arrival Dave, Mark and Melissa were all signaling different finds. Mark had more flatworms. Melissa was framing up some wonderfully situated chestnut cowries nestled in red and yellow sponges, and Dave had a 1:3 macro framer over a pair of black nudibranchs sporting a light blue ribbon design across its back. What a find! Shutterbug heaven right? Wrong! Just as we would set up on each shot we would be moved 2-3 feet left then back again 2-3 feet right. O.K. time for Mr. Buoyancy Control!! Breathing-slow and long we were able to work the surge left, then wait for the return right. Within a 10 minute span we all looked like a precision underwater dance troop that would have make the first team in any Bub Berkeley movie! It was a hoot. We all exposed some nice shots and enjoyed mother nature's class both in buoyancy control and precision surge diving. All this and a water temperature of 52 degrees! Who could ask for more! The proof, as always, is in the pudding and we have all been satisfied with what returned from the dark room. Moving in surge for the shot takes a little practice but we all accommodated the challenges sent our way and completely enjoyed the added fun and wonderful macro opportunities of La Bufadora, Mexico. Should you ever get bit with wanderlust but not have the assets, or time, for a trip to Papua New Guinea or Yap, call your local AAA (American Automobile Assoication) and get the maps taking you to La Bufadora. Drive on down to Dale's "La Bufadora Dive Shop." It is primitive but more than adequate. He will book your boat dives and fill your tank at very reasonable prices. Go south, have fun, and leave the light on! La Bufadora Dive is located 25 miles south of Ensenada, Mexico. They do not have email. Call from U.S. (01152) (615) 4-20-92 or From Mexico: 91 (615) 4-20-92 or write: Dale Erwin A.P.D.O. Post #102 Maneadero, B.C., Mexico for details on air, boats, and equipment for rent. Story by John Chandler.

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